NCCM welcomes arrests for Hamilton mosque and temple attacks in 2001

(Ottawa – November 27, 2013) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent Muslim civil liberties & advocacy organization, today welcomed news that 3 suspects have been arrested in Hamilton in relation to an attack on the Hamilton Mountain Mosque and the Hindu Samaj temple which occurred three days after September 11, 2001.

The Hindu temple was destroyed in the arson and police have said that the charges would be prosecuted as a hate crime.

“We applaud the Hamilton Police Service for their diligent efforts to apprehend the three suspects and urge them and the larger Hamilton community to continue to combat xenophobia so that a clear message is sent to those who perpetrate such crimes that their efforts to stigmatize communities will not succeed,” says NCCM Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee.

“We are confident that the suspects will be accorded due process and if found guilty they will punished to the full extent of the law.

“We urge community leaders to remain vigilant and to immediately report similar incidents to the proper authorities, as well as to the NCCM, in order to establish a clear record of such incidents,” adds Gardee.

Anyone with information about the arson is requested to contact Det. Dave Oleniuk at 905-546-3874. Alternatively, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8744. Anonymous tips about criminal acts can always be made to Crime Stoppers, see: www.tipsubmit.ca.

NCCM is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit grassroots advocacy organization. It is a leading voice for Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.